33. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his assessment of the factors contributing to capital expenditure running below profile in 2026 as outlined in August's Fiscal Monitor; and the implications this may have for the timely delivery of housing, transport, water and energy infrastructure projects. [68544/26]

69. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if capital expenditure to date in 2026 is on target or behind profile. [74622/26]

70. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount of underspend projected from the 2026 capital budget allocated which will be spilled over in 2027. [74912/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 69 and 70 together.

The National Development Plan (NDP) Review, published in July 2025, outlined capital expenditure ceilings for the period 2026-2030. Government has prioritised increased investment levels in water, energy, transport and housing to meet the needs of our population, to support future economic growth and to improve the living standards of the people of Ireland.

Budget 2026 allocated a total of €19.1 billion in capital expenditure. This represents an increase of €2.6 billion on 2025 levels. The two areas with the largest capital expenditure allocations are the Housing, Local Government and Heritage Vote Group (DHLGH), which accounts for 38.5 per cent of the total capital allocation for 2026, and Transport, which accounts for a further 18 per cent.

Gross voted capital expenditure to end August was €8.8 billion. The end September figures are now also available with gross voted capital expenditure of €10.4 billion. This represents year-on-year growth of €0.7 billion or 6.8 per cent.

Capital expenditure is €1.1 billion or 9.4 per cent under profile at end September. Capital expenditure levels are traditionally higher as the year progresses with the highest spending levels occurring in quarter 4. For 2026 it is expected that activity in relation to capital investment will accelerate over the remainder of the year.

Capital expenditure in the Department of Transport is broadly on profile with €2 billion spent to end September. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has spent €3.9 billion over the same period and is currently €0.6 billion or 13 per cent below profile. This represents growth of 5.8 per cent on same period in 2025. DHLGH incurs most capital spending in Q4, averaging 48% of capital expenditure in 2022-2024.

My Department's Mid-Year Expenditure Report sets out more detail on the scaling up of capital expenditure. Delivery of the NDP is supported by an infrastructure reform programme, through the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, where a series of reforms are being implemented to accelerate the delivery of strategic infrastructure in Ireland.

The capital carryover provision allows for up to 10 per cent of a Vote’s capital allocation to be carried forward to the next year. This facility is in place given the complexities and uncertainties involved in the planning, procurement and delivery of capital projects, and acknowledges that delays may arise for a number of different reasons. The requirement for capital carryover will be assessed at Vote level and will be set out in the Appropriation Bill 2026.